2 THE WEEKEND NEOS KOSMOS | SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2015 NEWS George Pappas named top Kastellorizian Chancellor of Victoria University honoured The 2015 Kastellorizian of the Year for 2015 is Mr George Pappas, chancellor of Victoria University and chairman of the influential Committee of Melbourne. The Kastellorizian Assocation of Victoria will honour their distinguished member at an official presentation on 17 October, which coincides with the celebration of the club's 90th anniversary. Mr Pappas, (nee Georgios Papageorgiou) was born in Rhodes on 11 June 1946 and migrated with his parents to Melbourne in 1952. He completed his early school years at Spring Road Central School, before winning a place at the Melbourne High School. In his matriculation year he was awarded Exhibitions in both Economics and British History, together with General Exhibition, Senior Government and Monash University Scholarships. He graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Economics in 1968 and was George Pappas, the first university chancellor of Greek heritage in Australia. awarded a Frank Knox Memorial Scholarship to study at Harvard University. He graduated with distinction and soon after began working with the Boston Consulting Group until in 1976 he returned to Australia to form George Pappas and Associates. Joined by former classmates at Harvard - Colin Carter, Ralph Evans and Maurie Koop - Pappas Carter Evans and Koop (PCEK) was formed in 1979. After many successful years, PCEK merged with the global Boston Consulting Group in 1990, with Mr Pappas as vice president and head of the company's Australian and New Zealand arm. Training Australia's most promising business minds has been a continuing activity for Mr Pappas, both at PCEK and BCG, combined with his service as chair of the advisory board of the Monash Institute of Medical Research. Mr Pappas was appointed chairman of the Committee for Melbourne in 2005. In this role he leads a group whose members comprise a cross section of the city's most influential companies and institutions. As chairman of Energy Matters and through his involvement with the Ray Willis Leadership Program at Melbourne High School, Mr Pappas offers ongoing advice to aspiring scientists. Currently he is involved in mentoring a group of young businessmen who are establishing one of Australia's leading suppliers of clean energy products. Mr Pappas' term as chancellor of Victoria University ends in December 2019. Greek tourism flying high Arrivals from Australia marked 9.8 per cent increase in first semester of 2015 The financial and political turmoil Greece was found in during the first semester of the year did not deter travellers, according to data released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). A Frontier Statistical Sur- vey conducted by the Bank of Greece shows that arrivals of non-residents from abroad increased by 20.8 per cent in the period January-June 2015, compared to the corresponding months of 2014, while a 9.8 per cent rise was recorded in the numbers of Australian visitors. More specifically, almost 49,000 Australians chose Greece as their holiday destination , accounting for 0.7 per cent of overall arrivals. European countries head the field numbering approximately 6.5 million out of the 7.5 million visitors Greece welcomed in total during the aforementioned period. Bulgaria, Germany and the United Kingdom were the countries of origin that contributed the biggest influx of incoming non-resident travellers. A significant increase was observed in arrivals from Slovakia (633.3 per cent), Malta (320.6 per cent) and Egypt-Sudan (206.9 per cent) followed by Hungary, Bulgar- ia and Brazil. Meanwhile Greece received around 150,000 visitors from Russia, a figure notably lower than last year's performance which exceeded 380,000. As regards the means of transport used, the majority of arrivals were by road or air, while railway was the least popular way of transfer. A relevant chart reveals that the main points of entry by road were Promachonas, located in the northern part of the country at a major border crossing with Bulgaria, closely followed by Evzoni, the main entrance route to Greece from FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). In terms of flight frequency, Athens holds the first place, accounting for 21.4 per cent of the total arrivals by air, while the airports of Iraklio and Rhodes come next with 9.1 and 6.7 per cent respectively. AHEPA boosts youth activity AHEPA's 61st Australasia National Convention has drawn to a close, with a number of new developments for the association. AHEPA's efforts to bring more young people into the fold in recent years with the establishment of Chapter Achilleas and Kleio in Melbourne, along with Thoron and Pythagoras in Brisbane, are to be expanded, with members agreeing to convene an annual youth convention. The first will take place in Brisbane in January, giving young students the chance to participate and contribute their views. The idea was proposed by Jiannis Tsaousis, former president of Achilles. "AHEPA Youth is about promoting leadership qualities, fundraising and networking amongst Greek youth," he said. Aiming to further unify the association, a major restructuring was also agreed, establishing and appointing a state council as the highest executive body. On the final day of the con- vention, 17 new members were elected for the National Lodge of AHEPA Australiasia, with Queensland's Steve (Stavros) Liassi named the new national president, and Panagiotis Yiannoudes from Melbourne appointed vice president. Sister Bessy Mougos was named AHEPAN of the Year, the inaugural Daughters of Penelope Achievement Award was given to Sister Tasia Manos for services to the female arm of AHEPA, while the chapter ATHENA of the Daughters of Penelope received the two shields for increased membership. DIGITAL.NEOSKOSMOS.COM AHEPA honours Karapanagiotidis AHEPA members honoured for their contribution to the association. Kon Karapanagiotidis was recognised last week by AHEPA for his tireless contribution in assisting asylum seekers in Australia. The founder and CEO of the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, Mr Karapanagiotidis was awarded the AHEPA Humanitarian Award during the official opening of the association's 61st National Convention at Melbourne's Greek Centre last Friday. Presented by AHEPA Australia president Christine Lynch, he spoke about his work and dedication to Hellenic ideals of philanthropy. During his speech he mentioned the length of his surname which some Australians found difficult to pronounce. PHOTO: AP/PETROS GIANNAKOURIS. Asked on countless occasions if he would consider shortening it, he said he would “prefer to cut off my arms” than to shorten the Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM (R) with his mother after presenting her with his Humanitarian Award in recognition of his parents’ hard work. name passed on to him by his father. He then handed the award to his mother, dedicating it to her hard work and everything she had taught him throughout the years. Amongst those present on the night were Victorian MP Maria Vamvakinou, president of the Greek Community of Melbourne Bill Papastergiadis, and Father Kosmas Damianidis.